steady at + activity
Describing skill or consistent performance
Use at for tasks, games, or activities.
He is steady at public speaking.
Steady at vs. steady in
Steady at usually refers to skill or performance level. Steady in refers to stability within a situation or activity.
Quick answer
How to choose between “steady at” and “steady in”
Use steady at for ability or performance in a task, and steady in for behaviour or stability within an activity or condition.
She is steady at drawing portraits.
He remained steady in difficult negotiations.
The team was steady at defending.
He remained steady in difficult negotiations.
The team was steady at defending.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
steady in + situation
Describing calm or stability
Use in for situations, processes, or conditions.
She stayed steady in the crisis.
steady in + movement
Describing controlled action
In can describe the manner or progress of movement or work.
The workers were steady in their progress.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
steady at
She is steady at tennis.
reliable or consistent in an activity
steady in
He remained steady in stressful meetings.
calm or stable within conditions
steady with
Be steady with the ladder.
with introduces handling or interaction, not the same adjective pattern
steady on
Steady on the stairs.
on refers to physical position or support
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “at” for situations
At is mainly for skills or activities.
✕ He was steady at the emergency. ✓ He was steady in the emergency.Using “in” for abilities
Use at for tasks and activities.
✕ She is steady in chess. ✓ She is steady at chess.Confusing “steady” with “stable”
Steady often suggests controlled or consistent action, while stable suggests not changing.
✕ The price stayed steady in $20. ✓ The price stayed steady at $20.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She is steady ___ handling pressure.
2. He remained steady ___ the interview.
3. The price stayed steady ___ $10.
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Frequently asked questions
Can “steady at” describe sports skills?
Yes. It often describes reliable or consistent performance.
What does “steady in a crisis” mean?
It means calm, controlled, and stable during a difficult situation.
Is “steady at $50” correct?
Yes. It means the amount did not change.
Related preposition guides
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